Urban Garden Water Tower

The brief for the iconic Water Tower building’s outside space was twofold – firstly design a garden for the ground floor, plus create a roof garden for the third floor terrace.

We were very happy to be appointed to create a new garden for the owners of the Water Tower in Kennington, the renovation project famously featured in Channel 4’s Grand Designs. Having finished the building and restoration work to transform the Victorian water tower into an iconic 10-storey residence with breathtaking views, the owners wanted a statement garden to complement the space.

For the ground floor garden, we came up with a design which would give a colourful view from the large glass windows of the kitchen, to both create screening from the next door property, and be a beautiful spectacle for the owners to gaze upon from their living space.

We planted Betula Jacquemontii trees, beautiful triple stem white bark trees to give height and gracefulness to the area. We planted spring summer and late summer herbaceous perennials en masse in the beds in bold clumps to give maximum impact. Some of the plants used included Rudbeckia, Anemone and Astrantia. Decorative trellis was installed and planted with evergreen climbers to mask the brick wall.

For the roof terrace on the third floor, we chose simple plants that could withstand the exposed conditions. The containers were planted with Box cubes and balls to give structure, which were softened by the overhanging ever-flowering Erigeron. Stipa grasses were dotted throughout to give movement. Agapanthus and Alliums were used for colour plus Lavender and Rosemary for scent.

These plants framed the seating areas to provide a cosy enclosed feel while seated, but were still soft enough not to detract from the stunning surrounding views of London. The clients were delighted with their transformed outside space to match the beautifully designed interiors.